Newsom vows ‘fireplace with fireplace’ response to Texas redistricting struggle

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he is able to struggle "fireplace with fireplace" as state Republican lawmakers attempt to enact redistricting in Texas , opposing the transfer although promising to pursue comparable measures if wanted.

At a press convention on Monday, Newsom stated he helps unbiased redistricting, in addition to a nationwide framework, and a proposal being superior within the legislature reinforces what he helps.

"The proposal that we're advancing with the legislature has a set off provided that they transfer ahead, to dismantling the protocols which are well-established," the governor stated. "Would the state of California transfer ahead in sort? Combating? Sure, fireplace with fireplace."

When requested a few assembly between California Democrats on Sunday evening, throughout which period they drafted or have been nearly completed with the draft of redistricting maps, and whether or not he had seen these maps, Newsom said he had not.

AWOL TEXAS DEMS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION, FELONY CHARGES FOR ABSENCE AMID REDISTRICTING BATTLE

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated he was able to struggle fireplace with fireplace if Texas lawmakers approve a measure to enact redistricting within the state. (AP Picture/Steven Senne)

However he stated there was an ongoing collection of conversations into the night final evening, which continued on Monday morning and can proceed till Democrats land on a course of.

"That course of has to have the concurrence, the help of two-thirds of the legislature," he stated. "The maps, we consider, must be clear. They need to be supplied in a clear technique to the general public, and as a consequence, these maps are being processed and can be dropped at mild."

On the finish of the day, although, Newsom stated the folks of California may have the final word say.

"We'll provide them the chance to make judgments for themselves, once more, provided that Texas strikes ahead," Newsom stated. "I’ll reinforce that we consider it must be a nationwide mannequin, unbiased nationwide redistricting, and it could revert again to its unique type, but it surely’s completed in response to the existential realities that we’re now going through. Issues have modified, info have modified, so we should change."

HOCHUL VOWS TO 'FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE' ON REDISTRICTING WHILE HOSTING TEXAS DEMOCRATS WHO FLED STATE

Newsom and Trump face off (Pool)

"They’ve triggered this response and we’re not going to roll over and we’re going to struggle fireplace with fireplace, however we’re going to take action not simply punching with the burden of the fourth largest economic system, probably the most populous state in our union, the dimensions of 21 state populations mixed," he continued. "We additionally will punch above our weight when it comes to the impression of what we’re doing, and I believe that must be absorbed by these within the Texas delegation. No matter they're doing can be neutered right here within the state of California, and they'll pay that worth."

California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin instructed Fox Information Digital that Newsom’s actions may threaten the constitutional rights of Californians whereas additionally setting a harmful precedent.

"Whereas Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive transfer, it undermines California’s nationally revered, voter-approved Residents Redistricting Fee, and if profitable, units a harmful precedent that voters’ decisions may be overruled each time politicians discover it politically handy," Rankin stated. "Our major concern is safeguarding Californians’ constitutional rights towards partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to resolve illustration."

Dozens of Texas Democrats fled their state and went to Chicago and New York on Sunday evening in an effort to dam a redistricting vote on Monday.

TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WAR

Texas Democrats stood subsequent to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox Information)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they don't return by Monday afternoon.

Shortly after Abbott launched his assertion, the Texas Home Democratic Caucus issued a easy response, writing: "Come and take it."

The assertion additionally described Republicans' proposed districts, which might doubtlessly safe 5 new GOP U.S. Home seats in subsequent 12 months's midterm elections, as a "racist mid-decade redistricting scheme."

Abbott criticized the Democrats' dramatic departure, saying that "actual Texans do not run from a struggle."

On Monday night, Illinois lawmakers hosted Texas Democrats for a press convention, throughout which period not one of the lawmakers took a single query from the press.

BETO O'ROURKE DROPS F-BOMB AS HE URGES DEMS TO 'MEET FIRE WITH FIRE' AGAINST GOP REDISTRICTING PLANS IN TEXAS

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appears on throughout a information convention on March 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Photographs)

Nonetheless, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-In poor health., welcomed her colleagues and stated they may keep so long as they wished as a result of they believed in what they have been doing.

"What you’re doing and what…they’re making an attempt to do in Texas impacts you guys, but it surely impacts the entire nation," she stated. "Once you need to take away 5 Democrats…that hurts us within the Home."

She defined that when there should not sufficient Democrats, issues just like the Massive Lovely Invoice, or as she referred to it as "the Massive Ugly Invoice," and different Republican initiatives get by.

"They're making an attempt to destroy our democracy, destroy equity in our nation," Kelly stated. "And sadly, they're beginning with Texas. However we wish you to know, we stand by your aspect."

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-In poor health., accused Abbott of not stepping up for the folks affected by devastating floods within the Hill Nation area of Texas.

BETO O'ROURKE CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE 'RUTHLESS' IN PURSUIT OF POWER, BACKS NEWSOM'S GERRYMANDERING PROPOSAL

U.S. Consultant Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) solutions questions throughout a information convention concerning the latest Congressional delegation journey to the Indo-Pacific area, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. August 10, 2022. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Picture)

Particularly, he accused Abbott of not having a particular session to assist households rebuild, however as a substitute of doing "the bidding" of President Donald Trump to "banish Democrats" from the federal delegation.

Krishnamoorthi then directed his feedback to Abbott, saying, "do not mess with Texas," as a result of the folks standing with him symbolize Texas.

"You may silence them. You may smear them. You may saddle them with money owed and fins. However you can't intimidate them," Krishnamoorthi stated. "You may gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that sport. That’s proper. Different states will do precisely the identical factor and neutralize what you’re making an attempt to do in Texas."

Different lawmakers standing side-by-side in Illinois selected to accuse Trump’s insurance policies of being race-driven.

Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos stated Trump’s insurance policies damage working households.

"That's nothing in need of racism," she stated. "He's coming in spite of everything of us who don’t appear like him and his Republican colleagues within the Texas Home."

Trump offers his joint handle to Congress and is interrupted by Rep Al Inexperienced protesting his cuts to a number of authorities packages. March 4th (AP)

Rep. Al Inexperienced, D-Texas, adopted Rodriguez Ramos with extra accusations of racism, saying Republicans are doing what Trump has insisted be completed.

"I need you to know that we did not introduce the race card when this message was despatched by and thru the Justice Division to the State of Texas, to our lawyer normal," he stated. "They talked about the race card as a result of they talked about racial gerrymandering. They introduced it up, and after they introduced it up, they did it, figuring out that this was a buzz phrase. It was a set off."

"They know that that’s a buzz phrase that individuals would reply to in Texas, however we're going to reply to that buzz phrase by telling them that your racism is just not going to alter democracy within the state of Texas," Inexperienced continued. "In the US of America, racism goes to be met with our taking a stand for democracy. You're taking a stand for racism, we'll stand for democracy, and we'll win."

Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, stated she was happy that states like California and New York have been standing up for Texas Democrats as a result of, as soon as it occurs in Texas, it can unfold to different states.

She known as the difficulty a "nationwide conflict," and "an all-out conflict" wherein all the things is on the desk.

"We come from a state of nice delight, and I by no means thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas Home of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the US Home of Representatives, that I'd see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York," Johnson added. "I by no means thought I might see the day, however right here we're."

Rep. Jasmine Crockett , D-Texas, was additionally standing with fellow Democrats in Illinois and accused Abbott of speaking "numerous noise." She additionally accused Republicans of being "weak."

"The distinction is that they count on Democrats to form of be the great guys that we're," Crockett stated. "They count on us to take the punch and say thanks. Properly, I'm right here to inform you not solely are we going to punch again, however we about to beat you down."

Nonetheless, Abbott instructed Fox Information host Sean Hannity on Monday that Texas is doing what it's allowed to do by regulation.

He additionally accused state Democrats of doing one thing "un-Texas" by turning their again on Texans and never coping with the flooding points nonetheless echoing throughout the state.

Abbott stated 4 of the 5 seats that might change due to redistricting can be primarily Hispanic.

"These are seats the place Democrats are having to return to grips with actuality," he stated, explaining that Democrats are dropping votes to Hispanics and Black voters in Texas.